Last Edited: 12/13/07 

2008 ASA Softball Rules Review

By Jay Miner

 Featured changes for the 2008 edition of the ASA softball rules include increasing Junior Olympic Girls’ Class A pitching distance to 43-feet, a rule about internal damage to bats, expanded and changed run rules and the use of a Strike Mat in Senior Slow Pitch.   

          Everything’s here in our all-inclusive report with changes, clarifications, additions and deletions fully explained with casebook plays. Our goal is to help you be completely prepared from opening day through the championship finals. 

          For your convenience, rules are presented in approximate order of importance. Umpires are urged to check official publications for late-breaking interpretations and final rule reference numbers. A big thanks to ASA National Umpire Staff member, Jim Craig, who reviewed our report for accuracy.

          Junior Olympic Girls FP pitching distance (2-1). The Junior Olympic Girls’ 18-Under Class A fast pitch pitching distance is increased three feet to 43-feet from the previous distance of 40-feet. The change permits the 18-Under Class A division pitchers to pitch at the same distance as the 18-Under Girls’ Gold Fast Pitch Classification.                  

          Bat Barrel (3-1G). Bat manufacturers suggested the adoption of this rule to help identify bats that are breaking down internally. This section now states that the bat barrel must be free of audible rattles when shaken and must not have signs of excessive wear.  

          Fast Pitch Run Rule (5-9A-1). This rule expands on the previous run rule. The run rule now includes 12-runs after four innings to join the previous 15-runs after three innings and 8-runs after five innings.

          Play 1: At a National Tournament the Home Team scores its twelfth run in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 12-0 lead in the game. Ruling 1: The game ends with the Home Team winning 12-0.

          Modified Pitch Run Rule (5-9A-2). This rule expands on the previous run rule. The run rule now includes 15-runs after three innings to join the previous 10-runs after five innings.

          Play 2: At a National Tournament the Home Team scores its fifteenth run in the bottom of the third inning to take a 15-0 lead in the game. Ruling 2: The game ends with the Home Team winning 15-0.

          Slow Pitch Run Rule (5-9A-3). This rule expands and modifies the previous run rule. The run rule is now 20-runs after three innings, 15-runs after four innings and 10-runs after five innings.

          Play 3: At a National Tournament the Visiting Team scores its fifteenth run in the top of the fourth inning to take a 15-0 lead in the game. Ruling 3: When the Visiting Team reaches the run limit in the top half of an inning, the Home Team must have their opportunity to bat in the bottom half of the inning.

          Use of Mat in Senior Slow Pitch Only (7-4B). A Strike mat that is 24-inches long and 17-inches wide will be used. The mat will fit behind home plate joining the plate at 8 ½-inches from the front edge of the plate. The combined distance of the mat and the plate is a rectangular 32 ½-inches long by 17-inches wide. A legal pitch striking any portion of the plate or mat is a strike. The change permits ASA Seniors to play by the same rule as all other Senior Softball Organizations.        

          Slow Pitch Runners Not Required to Run Bases (8-3I). The exception to awarded bases must be touched now reads that in all slow pitch classifications (except Masters and Seniors) runners are not required to run the bases on over the fence home runs or four base awards.  

          Play 4: Adult Slow Pitch. With R2 on second and R1 on first, B1 hits a fair ball over the fence in flight for a home run. R2, R1 and B1 choose not to run the bases. Ruling 4: The team at bat is credited with scoring three runs. The runners and the batter-runner are not required to run the bases on over the fence home runs or four base awards.                                            

          Stealing in Women’s Slow Pitch (8-4F).  Stealing is permitted in all Women’s Slow Pitch Classifications. Previously, in women’s play only players in the Open Classification were allowed to steal.

          10-Under Class B fast Pitch (8-4G). The removal of this entire section from the rulebook eliminates the previous restrictions on Junior Olympic Girls 10-Under Class B Fast Pitch. Junior Olympic Girls 10-Under Fast Pitch will now play under regular fast pitch rules.    

          Senior Slow Pitch Only Pitching Position (6-1A). A Senior Slow Pitch pitcher may take a position from the front edge of the pitcher’s plate to six feet behind the pitcher’s plate, within the 24-inch periphery of the pitcher’s plate.

          Play 5: A Senior Slow Pitch pitcher delivers the ball while he is five feet behind the pitcher’s plate. Ruling 5: The Senior Slow Pitch pitcher’s position is legal.   

          16-inch Slow Pitch Only Pitching Regulations (6-3A). New text to clarify the rule reads, “If a step is taken it can be forward, backward or to the side provided the foot is in contact with the pitcher’s plate and the step is simultaneous with a hesitation or the release of the pitch.”

          16-inch Slow Pitch Only Pickoff (6-3G). This clarification explains that a pickoff attempt by the pitcher is a hesitation and not a pitch. 

          Appeal in 16-inch Slow Pitch Only (8-7I-1a). This rule clarifies that an appeal must be made before a hesitation. 

          Unnecessary rule deleted (4-6D). This section is not needed as the rule is covered in the substitution rule. The removed section read, “The pitcher is not required to pitch until the first batter faced has completed their time at bat or the side has been retired.”

          Play 6: Starting pitcher Sandra Smith in replaced in the top of the fourth inning by Brenda Brown as Jodi James bats. After throwing three balls to James, the defensive team’s manager desires to bring in Cindy Carroll to pitch. Ruling 6: That substitution is legal. Brown may be legally replaced by Carroll though Brown didn’t complete pitching to James.